E-bike makers need to market and manufacture the motors to be more low key in appearance on the bikes. Then market it something along the lines of: *E-bike pedal assist motors......shhhh- it’s our dirty little secret*“

just to be clear - trek doesn't advertise on vital. they haven't for a couple years, so vital isn't "getting rich" off of this video. i was stoked to see cam's dad riding and thought the story was rad, so i posted it. plus cam's dad doing the feeble on the bridge was all-time. that was my motive. i texted cam and he confirmed that he and ty bought the bike from trek with their own money (a b-stock blem bike, so not full retail, but not even close to free) and cam paid the filmers to make this vid because he wanted to tell the story. so he's not getting rich off this vid either. sure it goes to building a youtube channel and stuff, but it's gonna take about 4 million more views before that $$ comes back to him. all the rest of the ebike-vs-non-ebike stuff, have at it, but i find it incredibly comical (and ignorant), all the "get rich" comments. BTW, if you genuinely loathe ebikes, The Simpsons provided some sage advice circa 1995 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlKao_Pox5A

i don't understand what you're asking. i said, ebike-vs-non-ebike stuff - discuss and debate all you'd like, i don't care where someone's brand allegiance lies. trying to say that i/vital or cam posted this video "to get rich" is funny.

Ah, I misread. I thought you were identifying types of people based on their behavior patterns, like [ignorant] types that think those pushing ebikes are getting paid to do so, as if selling out. The types actually acting out to boycott brands, advocacy groups, and media sites, are...

My impression: the old man needed the royal treatment to even discover the experience of trail riding. I call that the "princess tax", similar to paying a premium for things since it weighs less. If I criticize the ebike, then I also criticize the weight weenism (for those who aren't milliseconds off from being on the podium). I rather just criticize that people give up too easily...

I'll also criticize that ebikes are just bikes with a motor and power source added. I'd be more impressed if they brought innovation/change that helped cycling as a whole. An efficient gearbox wouldn't be a bad start, but I think I'm dreaming still... doubt anyone would want to pedal a gearbox ebike without the power from the battery helping.

Ran into some of the original mountain bikers in Marin County one day and they were on ebikes. Pulling wheelies and having a good old time. Great to see that getting old doesn’t mean you have to stop doing what you love.

I bought my dad his first Ebike after his heart attack so that instead of deteriorating he can get better doing something, anything. He is onto his second bike, my mom now also has one and the entire family goes on riding holidays together. I can totally relate to this video and experience.

This really devolved quickly. Everyone has an opinion and that is ok. If you dont like ebikes then dont buy one. If you do like ebikes, go buy one. I think the fear of trails closing due to ebikes may be a little unfounded. Here in Colorado each area is doing studies, then making a decision on ebikes specifically.

Maybe I am being the fun police here but the name calling is absurd. Let the McCauls earn their paychecks. Everyone has to make a living.

I wouldn’t worry about trail access issues boys......The E-Bike consortium is going to be so big in 5 years that they’ll be able to lobby .....not only for complete trail access- but that all trail users (hikers, horses, mtb) must yield to E-bike riders at all times. #ifyoucantbeatthemjointhem

Damn you Pat! I swore a solemn oath to never ride an E-Bike on public trails, even with my MS. Now you make me second guess. Nice stash by the way. You make me second guess. Have you recreated my bacon trick? No second guessing. It's the best way.

I thought this was Vital, this comment section has colorbike written all over it, and the hate is sad. Y'all turning this into some dynasty shit. There's going to be advocacy in anything in this day of age across any industry. #relax Take a step back and think about where you live. Maybe its you and where you live. #neverseenanEbikeOnce

Great. I get it. I'd love to ride with loved one's, too. But, instead, we do things that ALL of us can do--things that are important to them. Like just hanging out, hiking, taking a walk, going to breakfast. Not everybody needs to ride mountain bikes.........This video is not relevant to the big picture, what e-bikes will do to the sport and future trail access......Regarding the vid: sorry, dudes, go ride DH w a lift, or go ride dirtbikes with he Old Man ... Pulling on heart strings in the name of E-bikes is, frankly, irresponsible and destructive. It doesn't help that you make money of the E-bikes you're pushing........Vital, YOU ARE selling out the sport. That's it. This is a terrible direction to go. None of us got into this to make a lot of money. If that's your goal, get out of bikes and go do that. Otherwise, please, have some dignity and balls and stand up for non-motorized BICYCLES on trails before we all get the boot. Electric motorcycles (thats' what they are--fun as they may be) are going to cause big problems, soon. Pull your head out. (For the record, I love and ride motocross a ton. Not against motors and burning gas--just way against MTB trail closures)

I agree that there something inherently selfish about e-bikes. What's more important - the greater good or the individual's right to access the same mountain top? I'm not sure where I stand on this issue - I find myself cheering for Captain Coyote one minute, then saying who cares the next. The up and down voting seems split too.

How about Vital does a live stream battle on this topic with industry-respected people on both sides of the issue? Would be informative and entertaining.

Yup. I can rock climb super steep faces any more like I did when I was younger. You know what my first thought isn't to install bolts and an electric assist winch so I can hangout with my friends/family that are still killing it on the climbs. This idea that we all have to be able to do everything until our last breathe is BS. I'd have more sympathy for it if it wasn't straight up marketing for a product we didn't need, but that's what it is.

All the McCaul seem like genuinely cool people. It’s awesome they’ve done so well in the industry. Congrats guys.

Problem with e bikes is they are like one of the apocalypse horsemen for mountain biking here in the states. I’ve ridden e bikes, I honestly think they are super fun, but they are taking mountain biking down a path we can’t come back from. and they are basically as decisive as politics in the community. What would be good for mountain biking: pretend we never heard of e bikes and keep building rad trails and pedaling to the top and waiting for slower riders. For those with health issues that makes them unable to ride without assist. I’m genuinely sorry, mellow moto may be a fun option